Heaven only knows what she saw. To Wesley and to Margaret the bright
young face of Elnora, with its pink tints, its heavy dark brows, its
bright blue-gray eyes, and its frame of curling reddish-brown hair was
the sweetest sight on earth, and at that instant Elnora was radiant.

"So long as it's your own hair, and combed back as plain as it will go,
I don't suppose it cuts much ice whether it's tied a little tighter or
looser," conceded Mrs. Comstock. "If you stop right there, you may let
it go at that."

Elnora set the hat on her head. It was only a wide tan straw with three
exquisite peacock quills at one side. Margaret Sinton cried out, Wesley
slapped his knee and sighed deeply while Mrs. Comstock stood speechless
for a second.

"I wish you had asked the price before you put that on," she said
impatiently. "We never can afford it."

"It's not so much as you think," said Margaret. "Don't you see what I
did? I had them take off the quills, and put on some of those Phoebe
Simms gave me from her peacocks. The hat will only cost you a dollar and
a half."

She avoided Wesley's eyes, and looked straight at Mrs. Comstock. Elnora
removed the hat to examine it.

"Why, they are those reddish-tan quills of yours!" she cried. "Mother,
look how beautifully they are set on! I'd much rather have them than
those from the store."